The Court of Appeal sitting in Abuja has rejected the request by suspended Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen to stay proceedings in the charge pending against him before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
A three-man panel, led by Justice Abdul Aboki, in a ruling a moment ago, dismissed Onnoghen’s application. The court said, in view of the provision of Section 306 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), it lacked the power to stay proceedings in criminal cases.
According to the appellate court, the words used by the tribunal did not suggest the submissions made by the applicant. The court questioned the likelihood of its jurisdiction to grant such order as requested, given the evidence before it.
“A court has inherent jurisdiction to grant a stay of proceedings where it is certified that enough evidence has been given for such,” said Mr. Aboki who read the ruling with two other judges.
“Order for stay cannot be made in a vacuum. It is a matter of law and fact,” the court ruled.
The court, therefore, decided that the application for stay of proceedings will not be granted and subsequently refused it.
The ruling implies that the CCT can now proceed with the trial of the chief justice for alleged false asset declaration. The CCT had postponed the trial based on last week’s directive of the appeal court.
Counsel to the CJN,AdegboyegaAwomolo had filed an appeal challenging the 14th January decision of the tribunal to commence proceedings on the trial of the CJN.
Justice Onnoghen in the appeal is also challenging the CCT’s admission of the Federal Government motion asking him to step down as the CJN, pending the determination of the petition.
The court adjourned to 4th February for hearing.
Details later.